Enjoy the warmth of Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup, a delightful symphony of tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and velvety cream. Each spoonful offers comfort, with hearty vegetables and aromatic herbs enriching your mealtime experience.
Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup Recipe
Ingredients:
- For the Soup Base:
- Mirepoix (a mix of carrots, onions, and celery)
- Chicken breasts or thighs
- Wild rice
- Chicken stock
- Cream
- A bay leaf, thyme, and a clove of garlic for flavoring
- Butter (can substitute with olive oil for a dairy-free version)
- Fresh spinach or kale (optional for added color and nutrition)
- For the Roux (thickener):
- Equal parts (by weight) flour and butter
Instructions:
- Start with the Mirepoix:
- Gently cook the classic vegetable mix of carrots, onions, and celery in butter over low heat. This step is crucial to bring out the sweetness of the vegetables and add flavor to the soup.
- Cooking the Soup Base:
- Once the base vegetables are ready, add the chicken, wild rice, and chicken stock into the pot. Allow these ingredients to cook together.
- Adding Cream and Thickening the Soup:
- After the chicken and rice are fully cooked, incorporate the cream. To thicken the soup, prepare a roux by mixing equal parts of flour and butter by weight, then stir it into the soup, allowing it to thicken as it cooks.
- Final Touches:
- Consider adding a handful of fresh spinach or kale to the soup towards the end of the cooking process for an extra pop of color and nutrition. If using kale, add it about 5 minutes before the soup will finish to ensure it softens properly.
Recipe Tips and Notes:
- The soup takes nearly an hour from start to finish. It’s advised to cut your vegetables thickly to prevent them from becoming too mushy during the longer cooking time.
- For a dairy-free version, replace the cream with a non-dairy alternative like soy or oat milk, and use olive oil in place of butter.
- Adjust the seasoning with salt to taste before serving.
- Thyme can be substituted with rosemary, and you can use regular long-grain rice if wild rice is unavailable (though no quick-cooking rice).
Serving Suggestions:
This hearty, creamy soup can be a meal in itself but goes wonderfully with a chunk of crusty bread like sourdough or a warm flatbread.
Storage and Leftovers:
Creamy soups like this one are best enjoyed fresh and should be stored in the refrigerator if there are leftovers. Use an airtight container and consume within 2-3 days for best quality.
This recipe should give you a wonderful, comforting soup filled with flavors and textures, perfect for cold weather or any time you’re in need of a filling meal.
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